BLOG HOME

  >  

tire care

This is what oxidation can do to your tires. Prevent it with nitrogen tire inflation!

Oxygen and moisture are destructive to your tires. Oxidation can cause bubbling or flaking of the chrome finish as seen to the left, which at that point can degrade the base material of the wheel itself. Since water vapor also permeates the tire rubber, it can separate the layers and even rust the steel belts, making for an extremely unsafe driving condition.

Deterioration from oxidation isn’t localized. It spreads. It can start within the tire interior and moves outward, where it first invades the tire liner and then consumes the insulation rubber adjacent the liner. It marches inexorably outward, and as it does, the rubber itself deteriorates, losing elasticity. This decay is constantly being fueled by the fresh, and all too often moist, air injected.

It sounds costly! So, how do you prevent this and make your tires last Million Mile Tires? One way to do it is with nitrogen tire inflation? Nitrogen tire inflation takes the air and the water vapor out of your tires, and replaces it with nitrogen. Yes, air is 78 percent nitrogen, but it’s the other 22 percent that’s causing problems. It’s such a simple solution that doesn’t require a whole lot of extra time or expertise to get it done. To learn more about nitrogen tire inflation, check out Nitrofleet99.

nitrogen tire inflation

Nitrogen tire inflation can keep your tires healthy!

Truth: Number listed shows maximum pressure allowed for that tire

proper tire pressure

Sidewall pressure is NOT the recommended pressure of operation. Credit: AGCO Automotive

The government estimates that only nine percent of vehicles have four properly inflated tires, so it’s time to clear up a myth or two about tire inflation. If you’re unsure about how to determine proper tire inflation for your tires, then here’s one piece of advice: DO NOT go by the number on the sidewall.

Sidewall tire markings (shown left) are found around the circumference of a tire, indicating everything from the brand and the wheel diameter to the load index, speed rating, tread wear, and traction. The pressure label (circled in red) does not indicate the manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure, nor does it indicate the proper air pressure based on the vehicle the tire is mounted on. The number is the maximum pressure allowed for that tire. For the recommended tire inflation pressure, check the label located on the driver’s door or the owner’s manual.

Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent and save $.06 a gallon at the pump. Approximately 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted each year by motorists driving on under inflated tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

All this information and statistical data may be a lot to take in, so on easy way to maintain proper tire pressure longer is with nitrogen tire inflation. Nitrogen tire inflation is exactly what the name says: putting nitrogen into your tires instead of air. Studies have shown that this method of tire inflation maintains proper tire pressure longer than regular air, and keeps them in better health for a longer period of time. Who says we have to change the entire car to improve safety and fuel efficiency? Why not do just one thing differently?

To learn more about nitrogen tire inflation and finding a station near you, check out Nitrofleet99. Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before, as it’s not necessary for you to remove all the air from your tires before inflating them with nitrogen.


Nitronomics Blog: Save Money & the EnvironmentGoNitroTire on Facebook
© 2008 All rights reserved GoNitro Inc. (dba GoNitroTire) Privacy Policy
Duplication of any portion of this website without prior written consent from GoNitro Inc. is prohibited.